Google requests refund of $5K contribution to Hyde-Smith

Google has joined a growing list of companies who have asked Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) to return their campaign contributions.

A spokesperson for Google confirmed to CNBC on Monday that the company requested a refund of the $5,000 donation, following AT&T, Ernst & Young, Boston Scientific, Major League Baseball and others in pulling support of Hyde-Smith over controversial comments.

{mosads}Hyde-Smith, who is running to finish out the term of retired Sen. Thad Cochran (R), said earlier this month that she would be “front row” if invited to a “public hanging.”

The comments sparked national backlash given Mississippi’s history of lynchings, and the fact that Hyde-Smith’s Democratic runoff opponent, Mike Espy, is black.

Hyde-Smith has said she made the comments in jest and that the remark was misinterpreted.

President Trump traveled to Mississippi on Monday to hold two rallies in support of Hyde-Smith ahead of the runoff vote on Tuesday.